Members of the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved several on-field rule changes to go into effect in 2011. Here’s a quick breakdown of what they are, and what they mean:

NEW RULE: If an offense commits a penalty in the last minute of a half, the punishment will include a 10-second run-off as well as the yardage.

It’s important because ...The rule brings college football in line with the NFL, where teams are discouraged from intentional penalties to stop the clock to stretch out potential scoring drives. Tennessee served as its motivation–the Vols lost an apparent Music City Bowl victory over North Carolina when an illegal participation flag on the Tar Heels field goal unit gave UNC another chance to kick. Now, instead of lining up again, time would run out on Carolina.

NEW RULE: Intentional grounding will be called only when no receiver is in the area of the pass.

It’s important because ...Quarterbacks are getting more freedom to throw away the ball. Last season, a receiver needed a “reasonable opportunity” to make the catch. Now, he needs only to be near where the ball lands.

NEW RULE: Teams can place monitors in the coaches’ booths showing live broadcasts of the game.

It’s important because ...Assistants will now get a better view of close calls and could help head coaches determine whether to challenge plays. It should eliminate graduate assistants slipping into media areas of press boxes to watch replays.

NEW RULE: Offensive players lined up within seven yards of center can block below the waist anywhere on the field.

It’s important because ...There’s a caveat to this one–backs and receivers only can block low if hitting the player straight ahead or toward the nearest sideline. The change should help keep safe defensive players in the middle of the field.

NEW RULE: Defenses on placekicks will be flagged if more than three defensive players gang up on a single blocker.

It’s important because ...Similar protections already exist for the long snapper on such plays. Kick-block teams will need to rely more on quickness and athleticism than sheer power.

College football will institute another rule, passed last year, that will take away touchdowns if the offense is called for taunting before the scoring player crosses the goal line.